Burning fuel oil burning system

ABSTRACT

Heated fuel-oil is injected into an open-ended mixing chamber simultaneously with a jet of water so that an intimate mixture of fuel-oil and water is formed. This mixture is ignited and sufficient air is supplied to support combustion. To clean and pre-heat the fuel, it is injected into a tank partly filled with hot water, through which the oil rises to form a separate layer in the top of the tank, from where it is withdrawn.

United States Patent 1 Armas [451 Aug. 26, 1975 [54] BURNING FUEL OILBURNING SYSTEM [76] Inventor: Gregorio Cardenes Armas, Las

Palmas (Canary Island) Paraguay 7, Las Palmas, Spain [22] Filed: Apr. 5,1974 [21] Appl. No.: 458,455

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 368,582, June 11,1973.

[52] US. Cl. 431/217; 431/4; 431/11; 431/208; 431/210 [51] Int. Cl. F23d11/44 [58] Field of Search 431/4, 11, 208, 210, 211, 431/212, 216, 217

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,747,375 2/1930 Mallery431/4 2,104,311 H1938 Russell 431/4 2.732.070 1/1956 Glasgow et a1.210/187 3,741,712 6/1973 Delatronchette 431/4 3,766,942 10/1973Delatronchette et a1. 431/4 Primary Examiner-Edward G. Favors Attorney,Agent, or Firm-Wenderoth, Lind & Ponack 5 7] ABSTRACT Heated fuel-oil isinjected into an open-ended mixing chamber simultaneously with a jet ofwater so that an intimate mixture of fuel-oil and water is formed. Thismixture is ignited and sufficient air is supplied to support combustion.To clean and pre-heat the fuel, it is injected into a tank partly filledwith hot water, through which the oil rises to form a separate layer inthe top of the tank, from where it is withdrawn.

8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTED AUG 2 6 I975 sum 1 o 2 BURNING FUELOllL BURNING SYSTEM This is a division, of application Ser. No. 368,582,filed June ll, 1973.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates toimprovements in burners and gasifiers for mixtures of water and hydrocarbons. An assembly is described which consists of a device to filterand preheat the fuel-oil by passing it through heated water, whichdevice is connected to one or more burners. The burner which isdescribed operates on the principle that if in a container isolated fromthe air there is a quantity of any hydrocarbon, preferably a heavyhydrocarbon, and it is heated with an indirect flame to above theboiling point, the hydrocarbon tends to vaporise rapidly. But if at thetime there is added a quantity of water, a little less than the volumeof the hydrocarbon, and the heat is sufficient so that the water vapourdoes not cool the mixture, there results from this a combination forminga gas with a high calorific value. It has been shown that the hydro genof the water combines with the carbon surplus to the combustion, whichis of importance in possible industrial applications, all the more sowhen it is realized that the mixture burns completely without smoke.

If concerned with combustion of a combustible liquid, it must be takeninto account that such substances do not burn in this liquid state butthat the vapour formed from them burns and the heat liberated therebyensures that more liquid is evaporated in the combustion zone, and thenew vapour maintains the combustion.

Firstly, as may be expected, atoms of hydrogen are formed which reactwith the molecules of oxygen coming from the air for combustion, formingOH radicals which react in their turn with a molecule of atomichydrogen, which repeats the process.

in this way, one single atom of hydrogen can form a new atom of the samekind, which sets up a chain reaction process.

To sum up, there is a combustion in which previously there takes placethe phenomenon of break up of the fuel-oil and furthermore, withreaction with molecules of water, and in the hollow of the flame asupply of oxygen proceeds from the split water and the OH radicals. The:the combustion is then rich in hydrogen and oxygen.

A physical aspect of this process of novel combustion is that theparticles of water vapour in emulsion with oil, atomise the oil, and infact an aerosol is formed by the emulsion, which helps combustion.

In fact, the emulsion with the help of the water vapour allows anincrease in the partial pressure of the water vapour, with which theenergy emitted '(linked directly with this partial pressure) increases,in relation to the carbonic anhydride being unatomised by the water.This allows improvement of the transference of heat by radiation(logical increase in the radiation convection relationship, which is thepresent concerned).

in a thermo-chemical aspect the atoms of carbon of the oil react withthe water with a formation of carbon monoxide, diminishing rapidly allpossible presence of unburnt particles, the presence of molecules ofwater already being able to exercise a weakening action on the crackingprocess of the fuel, so as to avoid the production of soot (last step ofthe cracking) and thus of unburnt particles.

At the moment of the slow explosion (flame) and with the increase of thetemperature, there appear short-lived molecular fragments (freeradicals, complex and active particles), which rapidly combine in theless heated zones. The presence of emulsified oil in the case consideredfavours this fact and furthermore it must be taken into account that theatoms of hydrogen favour the increase of velocity of the flame.

This formation of gaseous compounds, methane, ethane, butane, propane,etc., ensures that the combustion is partly a combustion of gases, verydifferent from the normal aerosol liquid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention provides a new system for burningfuel oil wherein the fuel oil is filtered by passing it through water tofree the fuel oil from pockets and particles of water, and is thenpreheated to approximately C. The preheated fuel oil, free fromparticles and pockets of water, is then passed to a burner assembly,whereat the fuel-oil is heated to approximately 300C. Then, the hotfuel-oil is ejected from the assembly simultaneously with a jet of waterwhich mixes with the fuel-oil.

More particularly, the invention provides apparatus for burning fueloilcomprising a water tank, means for heating water in the tank, means forinjecting fuel-oil in the tank so that the fuel-oil rises throughthe'hot water to form a layer in the top of the tank, an open endedmixing chamber for fuel-oil and water, a fuel-oil line communicatingbetween the top of the tank and the mixing chamber, the fuel-oil lineincluding a heater and a pump, means for injecting a jet of water intothe mixing chamber to form an intimate mixture of fuel-oil and water,and means for supplying to the open end of the mixing chamber sufficientair to support combustion of the mixture.

In a preferred embodiment, a device which forms the filter and preheaterfor the fueloil is formed by a vertical tank for water, which contains acombustion chamber, with a burner at one end formed by an atomiser andpump, and at the opposite end communicates with a gas outlet flue. Abovethis chamber is disposed a container receiving the fuel-oil which risesto the surface of the water.

Furthermore, the water tank has a transparent tube which indicates thelevel of the water, an automatic pyrometer and a valve in one lower partfor draining.

The tank in its lower part communicates with a tube, which in turn has apump, provided with valves one before and the other after the connectionwith the pump, and beginning with the second valve it communicates witha supply of fuel-oil. In turn the pump, by means of a valve, sends thewater or fuel-oil to the bottom of the main tank, by a tube with lateralorifices, in such a way that the water circulates in a closed circuit,and when the pump cannot suck in water, it sucks in fuel-oil.

Fuel-oil heated to 90C by the device described, is supplied to a pumpwhich pumps it to a chamber which has electrical resistances which heatthe fuel-oil to 300C, from which chamber it passes to the mixing chambervia a register chamber. Into this mixing chamber there is also suppliedwater, pumped by a pump and which passes previously through a filter.Another filter is fitted in the fuel-oil supply line.

A fan meters the air for complete combustion, sending it to the mixingchamber through the interior of the burner housing structure.

Behind this mixing chamber is disposed a small pilot burner with an airinlet, regulation of the inlet by its entrance into the injector causingthe atomization, an injection pump for the fuel-oil, electrodes forlighting and photoelectric cells for cancelling the operation in theevent of malfunction of the pilot burner.

The flame of this pilot burner passes through the chamber in which thetubes for fuel-oil and water are located, and which eventually open intothe mixing chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to explain thecharacteristics of the burners anf gasifiers which are the subject ofthis invention, the accompanying Figures show an embodiment of theinvention, provided as one convenient example, whilst variations indetail of presentation or arrangement may be made which do not affectthe essentials concerning the burners and gasifiers of water vapour andhydrocarbons.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows schematically in elevation a device for filtering andpreheating the fuel-oil;

FIG. 2, also in schematic side elevation, shows a burner connected tothe device of FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 3 and 4 respectively show the back and front of the burner.

DETAILED DESRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The device shown in FIG. 1comprises a tank 16, which contains water up to the level indicated at18, which can be seen in a transparent tube 17. The water is heated to90C by a combustion chamber 5, which contains a burner comprising a pump14 and atomizer 13. The combustion chamber 5 has a gas outlet flue 1.The temperature of the water is controlled by an automatic thermometer15, which includes an electrical contact breaker which acts on theburner pump 14.

With the help of a pump 10, the water circulates in a closed circuitthrough tubes which pass through a valve 11 to the pump 10, and fromthere to the tank 16 via a tube 6 provided with a valve 7.

When the pump 10 is working at full capacity, the water applied to it iscut off little by little, until the pump cannot suck in all the waterwhich it requires; the remainder of the intake is then provided byfuel-oil, which enters through a tube 8 and is controlled by a valve 9.

The hot water and the fuel-oil is formed into a mixture of finelydivided particles by the pump 10, and as the mixture enters the interiorof the tank, the fuel-oil, because of its lower density, rises to theupper part of the tank, separating completely from the water and leavingbehind in the water all the small particles or droplets which tend toaccompany liquid fuels and which form a real problem in the majority ofcases in which heavy fuel-oil is employed.

In the upper part of the tank 16 is located an opentopped container 19,in which is collected the filtered fuel-oil, part of which passes to theburner of FIG. 2 through tubes 2 and 4 (FIG. 1). The rest of the fueloilpasses through an overflow outlet 20.

The valve 12, (FIG. 1) is for the purpose of draining the tank 16 if thelevel of water exceeds the suitable value.

The fuel-oil (heated to C and free from particles and pockets of water)passes to the burner shown in FIG. 2, enters a pump 23 through a tube21. The pump 23 controls the pressure in a chamber 24 containing threeelectrical resistance heating elements which heat the fuel-oil up to atemperature of around 300C before it finally passes to a combustionchamber 35 via a register chamber 33.

Water is also supplied under pressure to the combustion chamber 35 via aregister chamber 37 by a pump 39, being filtered by filter 40.

The burner of FIG. 2 is provided with a small pilot burner which has aphoto-electric cell 27 to cut out its operation in the event of badlighting. The pilot burner comprises a pump 28 for the injection offuel-oil for burning, an air inlet 25, which passes through athrottlevalve regulator 26, and an injector 29 causing atomization in achamber 31. A filter 41 is fitted in the fueloil supply for the pump 28.The lighting of this burner is effected by means of an electric sparkbetween two electrodes 30.

The flame of the pilot burner passes through the chamber 31, in whichthe tubes for fuel-oil and water are located, and which at its endhouses the chamber where the combustion of fuel and water takes place.Once the pilot flame has been established, IN; pumps 39, 23 for thewater and fuel'oil are started up, and in the chamber 35 combustiontakes place.

The air necessary for complete combustion is provided by a fan 22 FIG.2) and is supplied to a chamber 32, surround the chamber 31, through aduct 44 (FIG. 4). The air leaves at 38.

The chambers 33 and 37 have known type bungs or valve members 34 and 36for registration, and possible for stopping leaks which restrict theflow of water and fuel-oil to the chamber 35.

In FIG. 3 the electrical resistance heating elements 43 and thethermometer 42, for controlling the temperature of the fuel-oil at 300C,are shown.

The arrangement described above has as its main advantages thefollowing:

Ease of starting, without blow-back.

Quietness.

No vibrating or off-centre components.

Reliable combustion.

Large variety of calorific values producible. It includes of coursedomestic burners for heating, up to kilns for making glass, in which theflame temperature reaches l,500 to 1,550C.

Ease of changing any parts, so that maintenance is economic and rapid.

Compachess.

Can burn residual fuel of low quality in combination with waste water.

Minimum production of oxides of sulphur, of nitrogen, of freehydrocarbons, pyrenes, etc.

Great economy and complete collaboration in fighting againstcontamination of the ambient atmosphere.

Conservation of equipment by reducing corrosion at low temperatures.

Because of the characteristics of the combustion which takes place inthe arrangement described, this can have the following applications.

Through its enormous calorific capacity, it solves problems in the glassindustry, the cement industry and for operations involving silicates.

Essential application for desalinization of sea water, making sea waterdrinkable, reclamation of brine.

in order to eliminate waste domestic water, contributing to thecleanliness of the environment.

In order to eliminate industrial waste water (Paper plants,distilleries, electro-plating works, textile works and in thoseindustries where the spillage of waste water constitutes a problem, dueto its containing toxic products, or simply contaminents).

Plants pg ducing steam.

Production of hot water, especially for comfort, or for industrial uses,enabling it to be apprdved in this last case for the elimination ofwater contaminated by industrial processes (electro-plating baths).

incineration of waste in any kind of plant, such as slaughter houses,clinics, or hospitals.

Automobile industry.

industrial kilns, for laminating, drying, etc., exploiting itsexceptional qualities for reducing or eliminating problems ofsuperficial oxidation crusts on the parts concerned.

Chemical industry, using the aspects of generation of heat anddecontamination of residues, both accompanied as well as separated.

in whatever occasion in which heat is specified or which leads to theelimination of waste, water charged with waste which is dissolved or insuspension.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for burning fuel-oil, said apparatus comprising:

a water tank;

means for heating water in said tank;

means for injecting fuel-oil into said tank so that said fuel-oil risesthrough the hot water to form a layer in the top of said tank;

a combustion chamber including an openended mixing chamber for fuel-oiland water;

a fuel-oil line communicating between said tank and the mixing chamber,said fueloil line including a heater for heating said fuel-oil and apump for pumping said fuel-oil to said mixing chamber; means forinjecting a jet of water into said mixing chamber to form an intimatemixture of fuel-oil 5 and water; and

means for supplying to the open end of said mixing chamber sufficientair to support combustion of the mixture.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said water heating meanscomprises a combustion chamber in said tank; a burner extending into oneend of said combustion chamber; and an exhaust flue extending from saidcombustion chamber.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top of said tankcontains an open-topped container into which said layer of fuel-oiloverflows.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fueloil injecting meanscomprises a tube communicating with the bottom of said tank andconnected to the inlet of a pump the outlet of which is connected to thebottom of said tank, said inlet of said pump being connected to afuel-oil supply tube, so that the water circulates in a closed circuit,and when the pump cannot suck water, it sucks fuel-oil.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim, 1, wherein said heater in saidfuel-oil line comprises electrical resistance heating elements adaptedto heat the fuel-oil to approximately 300C.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said water injecting meanscomprises a line supplied by a pump and including a filter; and said airsupplying means comprises a fan and a duct having an outlet lo catedimmediately below the mixing chamber.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an oil-firedpilot burner whose flame passes over said mixing chamber, and anelectrical ignition device for lighting said pilot burner.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said flame of said pilotburner passes through a chamber through which tubes for conduction ofsaid fuel-oil and water to said mixing chamber also pass.

1. An apparatus for burning fuel-oil, said apparatus comprising: a watertank; means for heating water in said tank; means for injecting fuel-oilinto said tank so that said fueloil rises through the hot water to forma layer in the top of said tank; a combustion chamber including anopenended mixing chamber for fuel-oil and water; a fuel-oil linecommunicating between said tank and the mixing chamber, said fuel-oilline including a heater for heating said fuel-oil and a pump for pumpingsaid fuel-oil to said mixing chamber; means for injecting a jet of waterinto said mixing chamber to form an intimAte mixture of fuel-oil andwater; and means for supplying to the open end of said mixing chambersufficient air to support combustion of the mixture.
 2. Apparatus asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said water heating means comprises acombustion chamber in said tank; a burner extending into one end of saidcombustion chamber; and an exhaust flue extending from said combustionchamber.
 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top of saidtank contains an open-topped container into which said layer of fuel-oiloverflows.
 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fuel-oilinjecting means comprises a tube communicating with the bottom of saidtank and connected to the inlet of a pump the outlet of which isconnected to the bottom of said tank, said inlet of said pump beingconnected to a fuel-oil supply tube, so that the water circulates in aclosed circuit, and when the pump cannot suck water, it sucks fuel-oil.5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heater in said fuel-oilline comprises electrical resistance heating elements adapted to heatthe fuel-oil to approximately 300*C.
 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1,wherein said water injecting means comprises a line supplied by a pumpand including a filter; and said air supplying means comprises a fan anda duct having an outlet located immediately below the mixing chamber. 7.Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an oil-fired pilotburner whose flame passes over said mixing chamber, and an electricalignition device for lighting said pilot burner.
 8. Apparatus as claimedin claim 7, wherein said flame of said pilot burner passes through achamber through which tubes for conduction of said fuel-oil and water tosaid mixing chamber also pass.